Even after rise in COVID-19 cases in South Korea, Saipan ready for ‘travel bubble’

South Korea has been witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases. rising numbers have drawn attention as to wher government will implement 'travel bubble' signed with Saipan. As per travel bubble agreement signed between two countries, people after arriving in those countries will not be required to stay in a compulsory quarantine.

Saipan travel bubble with South Korea

South Korea has signed a 'travel bubble' agreement with Saipan which exempts fully vaccinated people from mandatory quarantine upon entry into both countries. It is expected to come into implementation in late July or early August. As South Korea has been witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases, assumptions are being raised that plan of travel bubble with Saipan will be delayed due to 'circuit breaker'.

A circuit breaker means that if COVID-19 situation worsens in one of two countries, or country can delay or suspend implementation of travel bubble.

A Mariana tourism agency official revealed that Saipan government has been monitoring COVID-19 situation in South Korea and it will not suspend or delay travel bubble, according to ANI.  tourism agency official ded that Saipan is heavily dependent on tourism industry and Saipan wants travel bubble to go as planned. official furr said that Saipan is serious about carrying out Travel Bubble agreement with Korea. An official of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in Korea said that y were attracting people to travel to ir country through travel agencies. 

COVID-19 situation in South Korea

Level 4 social distancing rules have been imposed in South Korea to curb spre of virus. According to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, country reported 1,536 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking overall tally to 175,046. Most of cases were reported in Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province. 

IMAGE: AP/Unsplash

Inputs from ANI